Bangkok’s markets are busy from dawn until dusk, sometime even stay open when most of the city is asleep. Normally, the traffic of shoppers and crowds of office workers hurrying their way masks the busy stretch of shops and food stalls, making it difficult to pay close attention to details.

Earlier this year, however, a strange silence had fallen on the city, civil unrest brought life in the city of angels to an eerie standstill, Bangkokians elected to stay home, and shops closed their doors.

Among the closed shops, with only soldiers scattered around, I saw a woman carrying her mobile food stall on her shoulders in two baskets dangling from a long bamboo pole.

There was something compelling about this lonely figure going on selling her dish in the empty streets. As I approached her, feeling sympathy to her or maybe just plain hunger, I discovered with very much curiosity this delicious dish that was so satisfying amid the general grim of the comatose city.

A twist of the well known papaya salad, in this dish gelatinous waxy white corn kernels replace the green papaya. The unique starchy texture of the corn is enjoying a backdrop of tangy refreshment from the lime juice, a truly innovative interpretation of the classic dish that uses accessible ingredients.

Method (วิธีทำ)

With a knife slice off the cooked corn kernels
ใช้มีดฝานข้าวโพดออก

To a wood or clay pestle and mortar throw one clove and garlic and as much chilies as you like. Wood or clay pestle and mortar are preferred because they absorb flavors, and improve the dish flavor as they age
ใส่กระเทียม พริกขี้หนู ลงในครก

Lightly crush the chilies and garlic, the finer you pound the chilies, the hotter the final product will become
ตำพริก และ กระเทียมพอแตก

Add dried shrimp that have been pounded lightly in advance, work the shrimp lightly
ใส่กุ้งแห้งลงไป และ ตำต่อไป

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Hello Khun Hanumarn…
When I first saw your post on Kon Krua about the food you made, I was wondering if you are really a farang. But after I’ve seen your “About” page in this site, I’m really amazed. Not only the food you cook but also your Thai. It’s really impressive ka. :-)